ok the reason i thought of this post is because i really like the stylistics and when russell left the group,i thought he could never be replaced, i bought a recent 1970's soul jam dvd and discovered russell thompson's replacement was just as good. can you name other lead singers that were replaced with others just as talented

Jean Terrell replacing Diana Ross is one of the best examples I have ever seen of a lead sounding different and the group still being intact. Granted they didnt have as many hits but they did have 4 million sellers Up the ladder to the Roof Floy Joy Stoned Love Nathan Jones and Miss Terrell did a great job!!! She didnt have the Ross razzle dazzle but it didnt matter she held her own IMO..if you listen to any of their 70s albums girlfriend had it going on.. Stephanie

Definitely Jean Terrell for Diana Ross. They were tough shoes to fill and she came through. Although not as immediately accessible as Diana or as comfortable in front, it was the group again and some of their best group vocals occurred with the arrival of Jean. Had Motown kept up the suppport for them they would have done even better than they did.

Also, Dennis Edwards for David Ruffin. Not many groups can claim that they had some of their "bigget' hits when a lead singer was replaced.

Michael McDonald being brought into the Doobie Brothers. He changed their entire sound and his songwriting gave them some huge hits.

When Damon left the Tempts I had the pleasure of producing and writing for his group Impact (formerly the Vandals) whom I signed to Atlantic in 1976. In the studio, Damon sounded more like Eddie than Eddie if that is at all possible!!!

What a joy that album was to produce and it was one of my best studio experiences.

Scherrie Payne was a excellent replacement for Jean Terrell. Scherrie and Jean are totally different, but both are fantastic lead vocalists. Scherrie is a powerhouse, get down singer who can SING the you know what out of a song. Scherrie can take a song and totally make it her own like "My World is Empty" and even "Bad Weather." Visually Jean and Scherrie were very different as well. Jean is much taller than petite Scherrie Payne and their stage pressence is completely different. Jean is the kind of singer who stood gracefully and performed like a trained vocalist while Scherrie got out there and danced, sang, and performed with all she had. I loved the Supremes even more with Jean and Scherrie, they brought so much excitement and class to the Supremes!